Posts Tagged ‘The PLACE’
Not our people
Our Executive Director had just finished speaking to our English students, assuring them that our classroom would continue to be a place of welcome. Here they would be safe to ask questions and get accurate information about the dizzying array of policy changes to America’s immigration system. Watching some tremble with fear, with tears in…
Read MoreReal Time Changes
On Wednesday, we convened nearly 75 local pastors, non-profit staff members, school administrators and concerned citizens at The PLACE to discuss the dismantling of the Refugee Resettlement Program and the effects of those Executive Orders on our local community. As a result of the dizzying array of national changes to policies regarding immigration, a drastic reduction in services…
Read MoreTable Talk is changing…
Perhaps the biggest development comes in the form of Table Talk changing names, format and management. Table Talk is now The Community Table and will be run by The PLACE. It will still be at The PLACE on Tuesday nights from 6-8 with a shared potluck meal. However, due to the growth of that program and the large numbers of…
Read MoreA Time to Celebrate
On Thursday, our ESL class celebrated the end of their semester with a party. Each student was presented with a certificate honoring the number of hours they had spent in class this Fall. The final certificate was presented to Lula (pictured above), who put in more hours than any other student. As Emily announced her…
Read MorePlug and Play at The PLACE
How do you cultivate community? It’s a question we have been asking a lot over the past two years. It is a key part of our identity as an organization. We’ve tried (and failed at) many different approaches.
Read MoreWrestling with the Silence
Last month, we saw decreasing participation as Ramadan pulled our new Afghan friends away from the PLACE. The fasts and feasts of Ramadan made it a struggle for them to have the time and energy to attend classes and potluck dinners. However, the April silence has brought to light the reality that we have not yet successfully learned to draw in many other ethnic communities. As we’ve wrestled with and thought critically about the last year, we realize that we are still facing the consequences of the separation that COVID-19 brought into our lives. We have lost touch with so many of our friends!
Read MoreThe PLACE Hours and Services
Have you been by The PLACE yet? If you haven’t brought your refugee friends to check it out, make a point to stop in some day and explore the resources and opportunities that exist in our new community center. Along with free Wi-Fi and plenty of hot tea, there are materials for helping people learn English,…
Read MoreOpen House Recap
Thanks to everyone who came out for our Open House at the PLACE! We were so encouraged by the level of community support we received that night and in the many days since. We hope you enjoyed seeing a space that was brought to life by the dreams, plans and wallets of this community! As we…
Read MoreOur Cup of Tea
Rosebuds, cardamom, and cloves sit open on the countertop while water begins to boil in the kettle. The door chimes happily as yet another group of Afghan men walk in wanting to get on the WiFi to connect with family back home. Emma and Sara from WeFindInLove greet them and show them the computer lab…
Read MoreTable Talk TONIGHT!
We are resuming that program on Tuesday nights beginning February 1st (TONIGHT!) from 6-7:30 at the PLACE. We’ll share some food, have conversation cards out to help you talk with refugees, and then have a very short English lesson.
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